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Overcoming the Network Effects?

Posted by Cliff on from the this-is-a-job-for-*gasp*-marketing dept.

paul_harrison asks: "I am trying to introduce a new P2P protocol. It's technically superior in several respects to existing protocols, but there's one big problem: too few people using it. Now this is not a new problem, there's even a name for it, "Network Effect". It crops up all over the place: which websites become popular, which formats and protocols people use, which operating systems people use, even which side of the road people drive on... So my question is this: how do things like these overcome network effects and become popular?"

7 of 30 comments (clear)

  1. Obvious by Clue4All · · Score: 3, Funny

    Post a story on Slashdot about it. Too bad it didn't make it onto the front page, you'd be all set.

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  2. missing key features by tps12 · · Score: 3, Funny

    You need to add random crashes, spyware, and poor interface design before it will catch on. These add to the thrill and danger of pirating music and software.

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  3. You contradict yourself by whoda · · Score: 5, Insightful
    You say: "Which means no censorship, no entry taxes, no one booting you off the network, and no weak point which can break the whole system."

    Then at the end you state: "In particular, if you try to share snuff or child pornography, I will be able to work out you IP and from that your location and identity. And I will report you to the police."

    So, which is it? P2P with no censorship, no booting, or P2P With censorship and booting?

  4. What problem are you solving? by anthony_dipierro · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It seems like you're merely making minor improvements to something that's already out there. That rarely works, and I highly doubt it will work in this case. Your network is not anonymous, and you threaten to report IP addresses to the police. So basically your network is only for legal files. That's a fine niche, but what advantage do you offer over http and ftp? Probably not very much.

  5. Compatibility. by Matt2000 · · Score: 3, Interesting


    You're probably going to have to offer some form of compatibility layer with the other networks. That's how Limewire got it's improved Gnutella protocol out there.

    That is assuming that your protocol really does offer tangible benefits and people will want to continue using it when the other networks are available to them as well.

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  6. target a genre specific music community by spaceling · · Score: 3, Interesting

    You could popularize your app by going to a specific music community like ambient or idm at hyperreal.org and offering your application for file sharing among the list subscribers. Soulseek is a file sharing app which became popular for idm listeners (see soulseek.org). The great concentration of interesting files for like minded users will make your app competitive for these users. This user base should help you develop your app. Eventually the apps popularity should add more and more users from outside these smaller communities.

  7. No contradiction at all... by damiangerous · · Score: 4, Informative

    No one has the ability to remove you from the network, or control ("censor") what you share. However, you are not completely anonymous on the network, and if you share something illict you can be found if someone really wants to (which this fellow apparently does).